“Holly – The bearer of the Crown. The eternal battle. At the beginning of the new year, on the Winter Solstice the Oak King battles with Holly and defeats him.” – The Growler

Holly leaf jewellery.  The eternal battle. At the beginning of the new year, on the Winter Solstice the Oak King battles with Holly and defeats him. Oak now can rule the half of the year until summer, as the Sun waxes and grows in strength and the light lengthens.

At the Summer Solstice, the brothers do battle once again. This time Holly triumphs. In the old tradition, the body of Oak is burned on the Summer Solstice fire – a sacrifice of the Oak King. Now King Holly will rule as the days get darker and shorter and the Sun loses its strength, until the year turns once again towards the light.